UH Centennial Campaign achieving goals right on track

"We are delighted that people from all walks of life have stepped forward to support the University of Hawaiʻi in this critical campaign, and we are looking forward to our continued efforts to unite our donors' passions with the university's aspirations. As we move forward into the final phase of this campaign we are committed to making the most out of this momentum to help our university fulfill its powerful potential." -- Donna Vuchinich, President and CEO, UH Foundation

On July 1, 2002, the historic Centennial Campaign for the University of Hawaiʻi system was launched and scheduled to continue until June 30, 2009. The private fundraising goal as approved by the Board of Regents is $250 million. Today the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is happy to announce that they are crossing over the initial goal, and continuing in their campaign fundraising efforts until the conclusion of the campaign in June 2009.

The Centennial Campaign was launched to celebrate 100 years of public higher education in Hawaiʻi and benefits the ten University of Hawaiʻi campuses. Its fundraising efforts have centered around four priorities: advancing academic excellence, enhancing the student experience, fulfilling the UH research mission and funding additional projects.

Campaign Highlights:

· As of October 31, 2008 Community Colleges have raised $26 million with 15,000 donors giving 28,000 gifts.

· At UH West Oahu, 741 donors made more than 1,700 gifts totaling $426,000.

· UH Hilo has raised $10.8 million with 5,800 donors contributing more than 10,000 gifts. This includes $3.15 million for the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center.

· Nearly 67,000 donors have made more than 153,000 gifts to UH Mānoa, totaling $184 million.

In the light of current economic challenges, campaign leadership is more committed than ever to see the Centennial Campaign through to its successful conclusion to help position the University of Hawaiʻi and our state, for the future.

"Education is part of the solution to today‘s challenges," said Barry Weinman, Centennial Campaign chair. "It is paramount that we provide a quality education for our underemployed and undereducated residents." Weinman, who also serves as investment chair of the UHF Board of Trustees, said he believes private investment in our students is crucial.

"We must redouble our efforts," said UHF Board of Trustees Chair C. Scott Wo. "With state and federal funding stretched and demand for public education increasing, we must rely more than ever on the generosity of our donors."